~ A collection of case studies, tools, knowledge, experiences, and research outputs by Jose Falck-Zepeda, colleagues at IFPRI and the Program for Biosafety Systems (PBS), and developing/developed country partners; on the socio-economic assessments of genetically modified organisms and other technologies. Photograph is of Bt/RR maize in Isabela province, Northern Luzon, Philippines; a country with over 500,000 hectares of Bt/RR maize.

Prudent to consider this step even when the country has made the inclsuion of socioeconomics mandatory through a law or regulation.

Focus on the inclusion and implementation processes

Consider having a basic requirement of a standard economic review/assessment with a defined evaluation criteria

–Producers’ net income

–Smallholder net income

–Downside production/financial risk

–Trade

–Others….

Critical allowing completion of biosafety risk assessment/analysis process. We have seen this as an important issue based on the Brazilian experience.

Ensure there are no authority conflicts between regulatory agencies, In fact, prudent to maximize collaboration synergies between agencies.

Ensure there are no conflicts with international obligations especially WTO

Ensure that the overall goal of implementing a functional bioafety system is maintained. This involves considering implementation issues such having a transparent, feasible, fair and time/cost efficient and protective process

About the main author

My name is Jose Falck-Zepeda. I am a Senior Research Fellow at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI). Any opinions herein are those of the author(s) posting in this blog and do not necessarily reflect the policies or opinions of IFPRI, its partners, or collaborators. My email if you need to contact me is j.falck-zepeda@cgiar.org.

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